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 Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:01 pm
Smerdle stifled the impulse to correct Asrafel, seeing as how she was technically the girl's aunt - well technically, she was nothing, she and Chucky just liked to play at being siblings - but she kept quiet. She was as good as a mother to Brownie at this point. Brownie's actual father had been gone for three-quarters of the child's life.
"Nice to meet you. People call me Smerdle," she said with a smile. Smerdle was extremely glad Brownie had shown no signs of flying or floating, but that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate the ability in others. "Of course you can visit with her. Come on in." Smerdle fleetingly wondered if there could be more than one floating young man with ribbons instead of clothing wandering around Gaia. Maybe this one murdered people instead of playing with children. Too late now.
Brownie returned Asra's wink with a wave and an exclamation of, "Hel-LO!" before settling down again. She was certain that if she got too rowdy Smerdle would kick her friend out, but in actuality, the woman was far too curious to do that.
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 2:52 pm
Asrafel took light steps in, his wings folding behind him until they were nothing but a thin, barely viewable cape. He grinned in mock surprise when he heard Brownie's greeting, reaching his hand down to take her little hand in his and shake it softly. "Well HeLLLOOO to you too! So friendly!" He giggled and held both arms out for the child, should she wish for him to pick her up.
"She looks very happy. I'm so glad to see that! Has she been behaving? Anything interesting happen since she arrived?"
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 7:50 pm
Yeah, she was happy all right. Happy to go down the block and play with complete strangers, happy to slice and dice unsuspecting hands, happy to... Well, Brownie hadn't cut anyone on purpose in quite a while. Lately the only naughty thing she did was visit certain neighbors who really didn't want knife-winged children playing in their yard.
"She's been good enough," Smerdle said after a pause. "Everything's been fine around here, really." Mentions of her father still sent Brownie into lengthy sulks, so Smerdle didn't mention his departure. "She's kind of just like any other malicious toddler with sharp things coming out of their backs." Smerdle closed the front door and motioned to the living room, still strewn with the paper and crayons Brownie had been using before Asra's knock. "Do you want anything to drink?"
Brownie shook Asra's hand in return before carefully tucking her wings against her shirt and reaching up to be held.
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Posted: Mon Oct 02, 2006 8:47 pm
Glad to be accepted, Asrafel scooped Brownie up in his arms, careful not to lay his hands where the edges of her wings rested.
"Ah, I see." He smirked softly at the mention of her wings, his finger poking the tip softly. So soft in fact, that he knew just a little more pressure would break the skin. "They certainly are sharp! So dangerous for a little toddler, but I'm sure she'll grow to appreciate them, and use them productively. Every aspect of oneself is a blessing, Brownie. Remember that!"
He bent down and touched noses with the girl, wiggling his own. "And they look so dear on you, too!" Yes, sharp metal wings looked dear when accompanied with a face like Brownie's, in Asra's opinion.
He rose his head upward and looked at Smerdle, a calm and slightly vacant smile on his lips.
"I'm sorry, you offered a drink.. I'd love one! Anything sweet would be wonderful, please. And take your time! I'll tell Brownie all my little secrets." He winked at Brownie as he said so, grinning childishly.
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 9:52 am
Smerdle nodded and left the room. She was sure there was fruit punch or apple juice somewhere around the house.
Brownie giggled at Asra's nose kiss and put her hands to her mouth, glancing at the teenager's 'clothing.' Didn't he ever get cold? "Asraf'l's strins nice too," she said softly. Why was she feeling so shy? Maybe it was because the last time she saw this guy he had come equipped with Prophetic Speak and he kind of looked like he was ready for more. Brownie had only been a couple of days old last time, but she remembered. She didn't have time for prophecy! All she wanted were a couple of small animals to poke at and a television. But there would be plenty of time for that. One day she would be big enough to take care of herself.
"See-krits?" she asked. Brownie had a few, but they mostly involved what her cousin did in his spare time.
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Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 11:25 pm
Asrafel waited until Smerdle was out of sight before nodding softly at Brownie.
"Yes, secrets! You see, I have many secrets, and I'll share one with you if you want. It's a very pretty secret. Pretty like you!"
He touched his bare chest with a brush of his fingers, and it glowed. When his hand pulled away from him, the glow brightened unbearably. A small and colorful orb swirled as it melted out of Asra's body, illuminating his skin once it was free of it's prison. It hung in mid-air, twirling slowly on an invisible axis. Tendrils of light reached out and fluttered gently, reminiscent of Asra's own ribbons. Asra's next words were nothing but unobtrusive whispers.
"This is my secret, you see. I can see deep down inside you, Brownie. Because you and I are alike! And deep down, your soul wants to be more than it is. If you touch this object, in time your body will grow to match your soul's true wish. Would you like that, my little beloved?"
He tilted his head to the side, his eyes closing as he smiled brightly at the child. Of course she wished to grow! Who wouldn't?
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Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 2:48 pm
Brownie's apprehension melted away when Asra began pulling something out of his chest. She squinted at first, unable to see past the blinding light, but when her eyes adjusted, she couldn't stop herself from staring.
His whispers washed over her, but she didn't miss their meaning. Brownie nodded, both in response to Asra's words and how the swirling sphere made her feel. She reached out and placed a palm against the side of the orb, her wide grin revealing sharp little teeth.
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Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 11:33 pm
The soft tendrils ceased their gentle sway as Brownie's touch caressed the orb. They turned rigid and flung themselves at the child, wrapping her in light. Their thickness grew until she was all but cocooned, and a heartbeat later they melted into her, dissappearing beneath her skin.
The orb, now solitary in it's rotation, sunk back into the depths of Asrafel's chest, where it briefly illuminated his body and gave a glimpse of the ribcage that housed it. The light snuffed out as quickly as it had flared, and the moment was over.
Asrafel gasped softly and bounced Brownie on his knee. "There now, wasn't that fun! Soon, soon little Brownie.. you will be much bigger and have much more to say! Then perhaps we will see where your path takes you, and I will be there anytime you need me. Is that all right?"
---
Congratulations, Brownie is now on her growth quest! In order to complete her quest, you must first complete 3 PDs with other Shattered that Brownie has not met yet. Once these PDs are completed, a final quest will be revealed for you and Brownie to complete together. Until then, good luck!
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 1:42 pm
The child held back a screech as she was surrounded by light. She started to squeeze her eyes shut, but by the time she had balled up her fists in anticipation of closing them, the light surrounding her had entered her skin and was gone.
Brownie nodded again at Asra's question, a puzzled expression on her face. What the hell was that thing? The toddler felt itchy and a little nauseous. Apparently, despite her desires to the contrary, growing up didn't agree with her. She muttered and tried to curl up against Asra's chest. "Sleepy," she declared. She wasn't really, but she couldn't put into words exactly what she was feeling at the moment.
"Asrafel?" Smerdle re-entered the room, narrowing her eyes slightly at Brownie's burrowing antics. The kid had better not be causing any trouble. "All we seem to have is lemonade. I hope that's all right!" She put a folded napkin on the nearest end table and set the cup on top of it.
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Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 4:36 pm
Asrafel wasn't surprised to see Brownie curling up, nor was he surprised at her comment. His hand brushed against her hair softly, cooing her as she rested against him.
"Don't worry dear, that's natural. Sleep now, sleep well. You need the energy. You're a growing girl!"
He looked up as Smerdle returned, giving the woman a fond smile. "Lemonade would be lovely, thank you so much!" He reached out for the drink, careful not to stir Brownie too much as he did so, and took a long sip. "Ah.. that really hits the spot."
He gave one lingering look to Brownie for a moment before smiling up at Smerdle. "She's a charming child. It's clear she's happy here with you. I'm so glad to see that.. I worry so about my little kin."
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 1:49 pm
Smerdle watched as Brownie, soothed by Asra's cooing and gentle words, closed her eyes and seemed to drift off to sleep almost immediately. Why didn't she ever do that normally?
She watched for a few more seconds before saying, "Thanks for saying that. Sometimes I wonder if she's really happy at all."
Smerdle had a lot of questions, like how did a child emerge from a piece of glass in the first place, but she kept them to herself. Maybe Brownie would answer on her own with enough ice cream and promises of more visits from Asra. It didn't occur to Smerdle that maybe Brownie didn't know herself.
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Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 2:15 pm
Asra took another long sip of his lemonade, before shifting Brownie in his arms. "Well, it seems my visit has tired her out. Perhaps you could put her to bed, and I will retire back to the Center for the evening? I'm sure there will be lots more time to visit!" He moved slightly, as though about to stand, but changed his mind and took yet another long sip of lemonade, finishing the glass with a smack of his lips.
"Mm, so yummy!" He whispered, putting the glass down and stirring to stand with Brownie in his arms. He brushed her hair down gently, before holding his arms out for Smerdle to take the child. "I am so grateful for your hospitality, Miss Smerdle. Please, feel free to bring Brownie by the Center anytime you wish!"
Sitting atop Brownie's sleeping form rested a card, shimmering in incandescence. Along it's front was printed the Benedict Center's logo, and address. How the card had gotten there was something of a little mystery in and of itself.
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:05 pm
Smerdle smiled at the card, which was perched on the top of Brownie's head, and marveled that it didn't stir when she took the sleeping toddler from Asra.
"It was very nice to meet you," she said quietly. Smerdle was looking forward to a peaceful evening, and keeping Brownie asleep was a big part of that peace. "I'll certainly bring her by soon." After all, the last time they had stumbled upon the Center, they had met Shauna. Brownie would be delighted to go. She took the card from its pedestal and quickly slid it into a pocket before supporting Brownie with both arms again.
She started back toward the front door, turning after a few steps to add, "You're welcome back any time you like. Brownie really seems to enjoy being around you."
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Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:49 pm
Asrafel fluttered to the door, bowing slightly as Smerdle spoke. "Thank you! I shall certainly take you up on that offer one day!" He smiled and hopped out the door once it was opened, waving brightly before fluttering away, off to return to the Center.
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Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 9:33 pm
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